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Monday, August 26, 2019

2020 Democrats shouldn't expect union endorsements for a while

Organized labor is in no hurry to back a 2020 Democrat.

There are several reasons, including the bulky field of candidates, many of whom have long records supporting unions. They want to back somebody with a strong, or at least decent chance, of beating President Trump in fall 2020. The June 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision, which ended compelled union dues for public employees, also plays into the slower-than-usual approach.

"I think it's pretty clear to those in the labor movement that defeating Trump is the most important thing. Jumping into a messy primary can be a waste of resources," said Rebecca Kolins Givan, an associate professor in the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations. "They've learned that early endorsements aren't the smartest path to advance policy interests and are instead focusing specifically on policies and finding candidates who are behind those policies." That includes a federal $15 minimum wage and bills like "card check" proposals, which critics say would eliminate secret ballots in union elections.

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

From a lifetime Union member: Unions need to open their eyes and stop buying into the theory that the democratic politicians are for the blue collar worker. In my whole working career I don't ever recall a presidential candidate, either party for that matter, actually taking any action to promote American jobs and labor. They just spew hot air talking about it, soliciting votes. Look what clinton's NAFTA did for American labor, exactly the opposite of what he sold it with. President Trump understands that for this country to survive and prosper, the blue collar worker must also prosper. I understand all about the right to work laws, but we can't have an organized work force without the jobs. Let Trump bring back the jobs that have been outsourced to foreign countries, padding the pockets of these greedy ass ceo's and high paid executives that care nothing about this country or its workforce. Then there will be workers that need to organize and get their fair share of prosperity.

Anonymous said...

As a UNION member. Our leadership always say to support democrats. But we don't VOTE DEMOCRAT. DEMOCRATS Used to be for the WORKING MAN. NOW they are for the WELFARE MAN.

Anonymous said...

yep, that janus case certainly left a mark on the unions....yeowch